Chicago-to-Rockford rail service set for 2027, includes S. Main Street station

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A train station on South Main Street will whisk passengers from Rockford to Chicago when rail service returns to Rockford in 2027, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Officials held a public meeting in Rockford on Wednesday to share updates on the ambitious project, which will include stops in Belvidere, Huntley, and Elgin, before arriving in the Windy City.

The train service will include two round trips every day, which are expected to take about 2 hours in travel time.

"Rockford is the largest city in Illinois that doesn't have a train service currently," said Scott Speegle, communication manager for the project. "It's a driver for economic development in Rockford and other communities, but also it provides opportunities for Rockford residents to not have to get on the tollway and sit in traffic, but can ride the train into Chicago for business or shopping or tourism or pleasure, or to go see a show."

Construction on the $275 million rail project is expected to begin in 2025.